2017 Map of Freighter Gap

About this map

The Continental Divide traverses this high desert landscape in Sweetwater County, marking a critical hydrological boundary in the Wyoming basin. This arid expanse is defined by significant topographic shifts, most notably at Bush Rim and the dramatic incision of Split Rock Canyon. Water sources are few and vital in this environment, represented here by Chicken Springs and Freighter Spring, which historically served as essential stops for travelers crossing the high plains. The drainage network includes seasonal watercourses like Jack Parnell Cr and Bush Cr, which feed into the wider basin floor near Alkali Draw. Local transit is facilitated by unpaved tracks such as Bar X Rd and the namesake Freighter Gap Rd, which snakes through the pass at Freighter Gap. This map illustrates the intersection of natural barriers and the essential trail routes required to navigate them.